Posts published in May 2021

Fallen Heroes Ceremony at JC Police Station

May 27, 2021

Attendees at the Jacinto City Police station held a commemorating ceremony on behalf of the Fallen Hereos of law enforcement, firefighters and the members of the Armed Forces. L – R: Emcee Allan Jamail, Galena Park Fire Chief Tom Ehlers, Sgt. E. Ramos, Dispatcher Kasey Aguilar, F. Benavides, Chief Joe Ayala, J. Pizano, S. Lopez, Lt. D. Walker, N. Frazier, C. Perez, & Sgt. S. Flores (Photo by Linda Jamail)

By Linda Jamail

Jacinto City, TX. – On Saturday, May 15, 2021, police officers, firemen, and members of the armed forces gathered with wreaths identifying the branches honored. After a prayer by Allan Jamail and the Pledge of Allegence to the flag led by Chief Joe Ayala, which was at half-staff, comments were made in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes who died in the line of duty. Cake and refreshments were served inside the new police station.

May 15th was designated by President Joseph Biden as the day to honor both law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces. May the 4th was Firefighters Day.

Jose Jimenez wins North Shore Rotary Raffle

May 27, 2021

At left, Rotarian Shawn Silman reads the name on Ticket #25, and Jose Jimenez is the winner of a new vehicle in the raffle. club president Lowell Everitt, right, pulled each of the 25 tickets for Shawn.

North Shore Rotarians gathered last Saturday afternoon at Turner Chevrolet in Crosby, to pull raffle tickets for their benefit Raffle event, and award prizes.

The raffle this year was in place of their annual Catfish Fry and Crawfish Broil, which they did not hold because of the health concerns from the COVID19 pandemic.

In spite of that, and due to the hard work of the members of the club, they were able to sell over a thousand tickets, which will fund their projects in Harris County and internationally for the next year. The club through ticket sales, sponsorships, live and silent auctions typically raises several hundred thousand dollars, which allow them to put the money back into the community for projects, scholarships and more. They are strong supporters of FFA programs in three school districts, and other educational projects.

New Pyburn Elementary Groundbreaking Ceremony

May 27, 2021

PYBURN GROUNDBREAKING “Building Strong Foundations For Our Future Learners”
L – R: Herbert Alexander Sanchez (Trustee), Conrad Rivera (Principal), Dr. John Moore (Superintendent), students Sebastian Elizondo, Colton Baldwin, Valeria Garcia, Noe Esparza (Trustee), Angelica Cuellar (Assistant principal) & Adrian Stephens (Trustee’s Secretary). (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. – May 11, 2021, at the GPISD Pyburn Elementary School, Superintendant Dr. John Moore, Board Trustees, and school officials came together for the ground-breaking ceremony of a new school.

Dr. Moore and Principal Conrad Rivera welcomed attendees and stated how the new school, once completed, will create a modern state-of-the-art learning center with the most latest technological advances available.

GLO, Feds deny flood funds to Harris County; but okay Jacinto City, Galena Park projects

May 27, 2021

Harris County and Houston officials learned Friday that the state GLO (General Land Office) and the federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development) had determined that these two governments would not receive any Flood Mitigation funding of the approximately $1 billion that was available, in the first round of allocations by the state.

The allocations are based on a formula to determine which communities are the neediest, according to GLO. Within Harris County, approximately $90 million was allocated to Baytown, Pasadena, Galena Park, and Jacinto City for flood mitigation projects that they had applied for.

Harris County had submitted an application asking for $900 million, according to Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Commissioner Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued statements expressing their displeasure and disbelief in news of the allocations not including local jurisdictions.

Commissioner Garcia said that he was upset, and “incredibly frustrated.” Judge Hidalgo said, “It is unconscionable that the very community hit with the most flooded structures by far during Hurricane Harvey received nothing as part of this Harvey Mitigation allocation.”

Mayor Turner said, “For the State GLO not to give one dime in the initial distribution to the City and a very small portion to Harris County shows a callous disregard to the people of Houston and Harris County.”

Judge Hidalgo said that she plans to ask HUD for a review of the criteria used, and assurance that the County will receive future fund allocations. She said the formulas that are used disadvantage large urban areas that are hardest hit.

Jacinto City, Galena Park each receive $5m+ in flood mitigation money

JACINTO CITY’S 75TH ENDS WITH A BANG

May 13, 2021

OFFICIALS PRESENTING RESOLUTIONS TO JACINTO CITY

By Allan Jamail

Jacinto City, Texas – Saturday, May 8th, 2021 will go down as one of the most popular days in Jacinto City’s history since its incorporation in 1946. The city was celebrating its 75th anniversary, and the city’s administration and staff hit a home run with celebrators. The day was filled with dignitary speeches, live entertainment, a free photo booth, homemade arts and crafts, homemade preserves, cookies, local honey, tamales and boiled crawfish and a spectacular nighttime exploding fireworks show.

Jacinto City’s 75th Anniversary fireworks celebration show. (Photo by Linda Jamail)

The official formal celebration ceremony was from 3 to 5 PM at the city’s town center on Oates Road. Mayor Ana Diaz brought the guest to attention followed by Councilman Allen Lee who gave the invocation.

Mayor Ana Diaz said she was most appreciative of having a good city with good services, good citizens and good city personnel and proud of the positive progress she’s witnessed over the years of having lived here all her life. Council members Carmela Garcia, Mario Gonzales, Allen Lee, Jimmy Rivas and Gregg Robinson each welcomed everyone and made their comments.

TAMU Group reveals its plan for a “Green” Galena Park

May 13, 2021

THE GALENA PARK STUDY investigated existing “Vulnerabilities” and presented mediation schemes for each. These studies looked at natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, hazardous materials and plant discharges, and underserved or low income communities. The plan suggested methods to alleviate these disasters, including “green” solutions for planting and drainage in the natural environment.

GALENA PARK – A team of Texas A & M University professors and specialists in professional fields such as planning, engineering, and the environment, presented to the public their project which focused on this city, due to its many “vulnerabilities” to environment threats. The presentation was made last Thursday May 6 to a CIP (Community-Industry Partnership) meeting virtually through Zoom.

Led by professors Jaimie Masterson and Deidra Davis, the team included students and the professors. Investigation and planning were conducted both in person in the field, and in the classroom at TAMU.

The study was entitled “PLANNING TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GALENA PARK RESIDENTS.” Its stated goal was “Engaging the Galena Park Community to Build Resilience to Excess Industrial Pollutant Releases after Hurricanes and Floods in Greater Houston.”

JACINTO CITY – 75 YEARS OLD!

May 6, 2021

History, photos, oratory, Fireworks at May 8 event

JACINTO CITY – Excitement is building, as this community nears its big May 8 Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the town’s founding, in 1946. The festivities will center around the Town Center on Saturday May 8, but is also going to involve the whole community with a bus tour of historical landmarks, starting at 1:30pm at Town Center.

Then at 3:00 there will be an Official Ceremony of speakers and refreshments inside the Town Center. The official program as described by City Manager Lon Squyres will include a Welcome by Mayor Ana Diaz, Comments from City Council Members, and then formal greetings from Regional Elected Officials.

Emphasis in the program will be on the history of the city and the people who live and work here. Mayor Diaz and Assistant City Manager Kathy Greiner will introduce past officials and employees. A slide show with historical photos of the city, many never seen before, will be presented before the ceremony.

Channelettes standing strong amidst the virus

May 6, 2021

2020-2021 Channelview Channelettes
Front Row L to R: Assistant. Director Heather Keith, Historian – Alma Gutierrez, President – Pierjah Johnson, Jr. Captain – Erriel Hollis, Jr. Captain – Rocio Lira, Jr. Captain – Emily Zambrano, Jr. Captain – Lizeth Negrete, Vice President – Krystian Martinez, Secretary – Yasmin Sanchez & Director Suzanne Hutchins Director. 2nd Row L to R: Anakaren Guerra, Cassandra Guajardo, Sierra Robinson, Madeline Manzanarez, Dericka Reese, Arlyne Ramales, Amanda Perez Negron, Jasmine Gutierrez, Gisell Cruz, Yajaira Magana & Isabella Moreno. 3rd Row L to R: Kathy Le, Dia’mond Gallien, Ruby Arredondo, Amarie Jones, Joselyn Mora, Jaanai Suarez, Jennifer Ozuna, Violette Ruiz, Amaris Cervantes, Gisell Aguilar, Emily Cardoza, Brianna Bustos. Back Row L to R: Alexis Rivera, Celeste Gutierrez, Glory Nguyen, Naima Botello, Kate Mayorga, Miguel Morin Ana Amaro, Sydney Caesar, Vivian Martinez, Isabel Robles, Alizea Morales & Yareli Trevizo. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Channelview, TX. – May 5, 2021 – The 2020- 2021 Channelview ISD Channelettes and Channelette Reserves have been working very hard for a year, dancing with all the new changes the deadly COVID-19 virus brought them.

Due to the great teamwork and experience of the Channelettes Director Suzanne Hutchins and Assistant Director Heather Keith, the young ladies and gentlemen student dance team never experienced any serious health setbacks from the Corona pandemic. Hutchins has been the dance team director since 1990, 31 years. Keith, a former Channelette dancer under Hutchins, has 5 years of teaching dance instructions in dance levels I, II, III & IV.

These two ladies work together like a precision team, always putting the health and safety of the students as their top priority. Parents and the CISD Trustees should be proud to have them overseeing the dancers.

Hutchins said, “The pandemic has made our team approach normal everyday situations much differently. We have overcome so many obstacles since March of 2020. The seniors deserved so much more than what they got, we tried to make every event special, even if it was done virtually.”

Customs officers seize illegal “chicken lollipop” pet food destined for Highlands

May 6, 2021

CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS Seized by the Customs and Border Patrol in Dallas, bound for an address in Highlands, TX. The contents of the box were labelled as sweaters.

HIGHLANDS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists have yet to charge a local vendor for placing an order for contraband chicken lollipop pet treats.

The federal agents at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport seized a cargo package of the illegal dog treats disguised as men’s sweaters bound for Highlands from Hong Kong on April 14.

Animal disease concerns are the reason the 93 said to be chicken-flavored lollipop pet treats with rawhide stems are illegal, according to CBP. Attempting to bring in undeclared items that are prohibited or restricted can result in a civil fine.

Free Event tickets at NRG for those who get a COVID shot

May 6, 2021

NRG Park Community Vaccine Center has Contest Offering Event Tickets and Giveaways to Vaccinated Participants

Random Drawing of Winners from People that Get Vaccinated at NRG Park CVC May 3- 16

Houston – As an incentive, people that receive their vaccination at NRG Park CVC from May 3-16, 2021 will be entered into a random drawing to win tickets to one of the following events or giveaways:

— Houston Texans

— Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™– (Grounds Passes)

— 2021 Nutcracker Market

— Monster Jam

— Disney on Ice

Precinct 2 Brings Vaccines to You

May 6, 2021

By Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia

You may have noticed recently that there’s no longer a vaccine waitlist at vaccine mega-sites like Harris County’s at NRG Stadium. Now, at ReadyHarris.org you can pick the day and time that works best for you, and those who want a COVID vaccination don’t have to spend hours and stress waiting online for the very moment slots open. Most vaccination sites now are accepting walk-ins without previous registration and appointments! Just as Precinct 2 mobilized quickly for the first wave of vaccinations, now we’re quickly adjusting to reach and vaccinate people who might be less able to visit shot sites and are perhaps hesitant about getting the shots that will save lives.

Many Precinct 2 residents can’t get to mega-sites like NRG Stadium twice in a month for their shots. For readers of Northeast News, Highlands Star-Crosby Courier, Barbers Hill-Dayton Press, or North Channel Star, committing three or more hours on a workday to get to a vaccine site isn’t feasible. Worse yet, many others don’t have access to effective transportation and struggle with limited Metro routes, especially at the outer edges of our precinct.

For these reasons, I’ve tasked the Precinct 2 team to bring vaccines directly to the communities I serve.